The Maharashtra State Common Entrance Test (CET) Cell has announced the schedule for the Online Stray Vacancy Rounds of NEET UG 2026 counselling for MBBS and BDS courses under Group A for the academic year 2026–27. According to Notice No. 23, dated October 12, 2026, the decision has been taken to fill vacant seats remaining in government, corporation, government-aided, private unaided and minority medical and dental colleges after the completion of three counselling rounds.

The notification, issued under reference number MED-1026/C.R.No.83/UG 2026/Group A/MBBS-BDS/SVR Schedule/2262, outlines the dates for seat matrix publication, online preference filling, selection list announcements, physical reporting and admission confirmation. Eligible candidates must submit fresh choices for each stray vacancy round because preferences submitted during CAP Round 3, or during an earlier stray vacancy round, will become invalid for the next applicable round.

Maharashtra NEET UG 2026 Stray Vacancy Round Schedule

The CET Cell has announced the following schedule for MBBS and BDS Group A courses:

Who Is Eligible for Maharashtra NEET UG Stray Vacancy Rounds?

According to the notification, candidates must satisfy the following conditions to participate:

1. Candidates must have qualified NEET UG 2026.

2. Candidates must have registered for the admission process and previously filled the online preference form.

3. Candidates must not have been allotted a seat up to CAP Round 3.

4. Candidates must fulfil the eligibility requirements specified under Clause 4 of the information brochure.

Who Is Not Eligible for the Stray Vacancy Rounds?

The CET Cell has specified that the following candidates will not be eligible:

1. Candidates who joined a seat in Round 1 or Round 2 and continued to hold a seat up to Round 3, as well as candidates freshly allotted a seat in State Counselling Round 3.

2. Candidates who joined and held a seat up to Round 3 under the All India Quota (AIQ) counselling process.

3. Candidates allotted a seat in Online Stray Vacancy Round 1. Such candidates cannot participate in subsequent state stray vacancy rounds.

4. Candidates allotted a seat during the All India Quota online stray vacancy round.

Candidates should carefully review their admission status before participating to ensure that they meet the eligibility conditions stated in the official notice.

Fresh Choice Filling Is Mandatory for Every Round

The Maharashtra CET Cell has clarified that no fresh registration facility will be available for these online stray vacancy rounds. Only candidates who have already registered and meet the prescribed eligibility conditions can participate.

Candidates must fill in a fresh online preference or choice form for each stray vacancy round. Choices submitted during CAP Round 3 will be treated as null and void for Stray Vacancy Round 1. Similarly, choices submitted during Stray Vacancy Round 1 will not remain valid for Round 2, and choices submitted during Rounds 1 and 2 will not remain valid for Round 3.

The authority has also stated that joining a seat allotted during an online stray vacancy round is mandatory. Therefore, candidates should enter preferences only for colleges and courses where they genuinely intend to take admission.

Documents, Fees and Physical Reporting

Candidates selected in a stray vacancy round must physically report to their allotted college within the specified joining period. They must carry all original documents and pay the required admission fees.

As per the notification, fees can be paid through a Demand Draft (DD) or by NEFT/RTGS, subject to the applicable college instructions. Candidates should confirm the exact fee amount and payment requirements with their allotted institution.

The last date to resign a seat without penalty is October 20, 2026, up to 5:30 PM. Any cancellation after this deadline will attract penalties as specified in the information brochure.

Important Instructions for Candidates

The schedule is subject to change in accordance with directions issued by the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC), the National Dental Commission (NDC), the Central Government, the Maharashtra State Government or the courts.

To ensure that counselling is completed within the available time, all participating institutes and colleges have been instructed to treat Saturdays, Sundays and gazetted holidays as working days.

Candidates are advised to monitor the official website regularly for the latest seat matrices, selection lists and further instructions.

Official Website: https://www.mahacet.org

Click here to check the official notice and counselling updates: https://www.mahacet.org

For Counselling & Admission Guidance, Call or WhatsApp: 9340961481

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